“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.“
This passage is a doxology to the prayer (verses 14-19) that drove Paul to his knees. A doxology is a liturgical formula of praise to God. In light of everything that has happened to us, this is to be Paul’s obvious next step–it’s logical and fitting. He has to do this.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,”
“Able to do” is a phrase that stresses the power of God to do anything He wants–even seemingly impossible things (like ‘raising’ us up). I think He has done this to us the Church! The phrase to do is dynamai where we get the English word, “dynamite.”
“Far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” That word ‘abundantly’ is the Greek word, hyper which needs no definition for us–it’s obvious. The “ask or think” part of v. 20 suggests that what has happened is way beyond any hope or dream we have; it’s far beyond what we consider possible.
It is our dream come true.
“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,”
There’s only one response possible to all that He’s done we declare (and live) in His glory. We need to declare that same glory and pass it on to others. As old Christians, we need to recognize a new generation of believers following us who need us to pass on that glorious “good news.”
“And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; 19 and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].”
Ephesians 3:17-19, Amplified Version
This passage is the crown jewel of the believer. It sparkles and shines. It carries a radiance that touches each person that accepts its truth.
“And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, 18 be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];“
The amazing thing about this its spiritual accessibitiy. Paul is explaining what’s true and what’s now available to the faithful. “Fully capable of comprehending” shouts out the reality, declares the availability of our place in love (agape).
Is His love for us simply too good to be true?
“The width and length and height and depth of His love.”
There’s a spiritual dimension here–it’s not vague–it’s not mystical, rather it’s solid with measurable distances. Now I’ll have to insist that this love is truly profound. It’s a love that goes on and on, far beyond our ability to “map.” Eternity isn’t enough time to explore it. It’ll take forever to grasp.
“And [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience],“
Paul insists that God’s outrageous love is now knowable to each of us. The idea of this verse is “practical” not ethereal. It’s not a vague concept–it’s not nebulous. We just haven’t experienced it in it’s real sense. Yes, it “surpasses” anything we’ve experienced, but it is knowable nevertheless. We will see it and handle it.
And that love has incredible dimensions.
“That you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].”
The empty jar gets filled up. The awesome presence of God is poured into the believing Christian. The Father doesn’t stint or measure out His presence. He pours and pours and pours to overflowing. The God who is omnipotent and eternal has decided that He’s going to do this.
Is it any wonder why we esteem the blood of Christ and His great sacrifice for us? The “door” is now open, we can each enter the holy.
21 “In Him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In Him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.“
This is a powerful passage and we’re closing out Ephesians 2 and getting ready to slash our way into chapter 3.
“In Him the whole building,“
The word “whole” suggests everyone and everything. All (and I do mean all) are part of this work; this is the construction of our architect God. No 2x4s are being used, only the things that are spiritual. The Greek word for “being put together” carries a meaning of precision, accuracy, and precision. He’s doing amazing things with perfect skill.
I’ve been told that the blocks of the Egyptian pyramids are so fitted together that you can’t even slip a piece of paper between the cracks.
Our builder, God Himself, constructs His people with incredible care and His work is perfect and eternal. The pyramids in Egypt, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” will be mere piles of dust and we’ll just be getting started.
“A holy temple in the Lord.“
Holy seems to be very important here. It deals with the idea of being consecrated or set apart from common things. A new temple is being built by the addition of every new believer, but it’s something holy, and completely different. Instead of stone blocks, it’s made out of holy saints. This temple is spiritual.
Also, there’s something that must be pointed out; there’s that wonderful phrase “in Him.” It’s written out twice for emphasis. And if you add “in the Lord” things get even clearer! These precious promises can only be activated by faith and from our new place in Christ Jesus.
And let’s grab on this idea of “together,” it’s mentioned twice here. I suppose that means having a connection to the believers around us in that fantastic way the Father delights to do. We shouldn’t minimize this “holy camaraderie.” It’s a unity that’s a gift to His children. We’re brothers and sisters, and He is our sure and loving Father.
“For God’s dwelling in the Spirit.“
We, the sinful and lost, have been called and redeemed by the blood of Jesus. And He now fully intends to live in us. We are to be His new home, His dwelling place for all eternity. Although as individual believer’s we already know the Holy Spirit’s presence inside, and that is tremendous.
But it appears from the text that something more is happening on a corporate level. These verses describe us as a community–spiritual building “blocks”–but together. If the presence of Jesus is powerful on an individual level, I believe the next step is going to be even better than than that!
“Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.”
“So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
We will never deserve what He has done.
We struggle with this, and we try very hard to earn our salvation. Paul reminds us that this is simply given and we can’t work enough to deserve it.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Grace-saved-faith, words that bring a triple lesson in how the Father makes salvation happen. It’s grace first. Saved is second, and our faith makes it all real. We must believe, not work.
“Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.“
Works in the original is ἔργον which can be translated as “energy.” That stresses work, effort, and labor as well. Paul is amazingly clear and our obfuscation is thrown out the window. It confuses us and we often try to produce good works. Grace often is abandoned by our earnest desire to be saved.
The gift of grace mystifies. It is a handout that befuddles and confuses us. You must realize that your “energy” will never be enough. Salvation will always be charity, an endowment that gives us eternal life without us making an effort.
I’m thinking now of the thief on the cross dying with Jesus. (Read Luke 23:42-43.) He had nothing. He deserved nothing–all he could do is ask. And Jesus promised that he would be saved.
What we have is His gift. It’s given and never earned.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Let’s think about this, and let’s pray that we understand. Works (energy), workmanship, and good works–words mentioned in this verse. There’s a real connection here between the three which may need an explanation.
“Works” is what we do to earn salvation.
“Workmanship” is God’s effort in making us like His son. He is creating us to be like Jesus.
“Good works” is what happens when we understand what He has done.
Good works are not the cause of our salvation; good works are the evidence of our salvation. Our spiritual efforts can’t save us, but as a result of being saved (free) we’ll do good things.
Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works.
I feel I must reiterate this. Salvation is yours as a gift. Good works are what we do after receiving this free gift. God planned ahead, our lives are now to be given over to do things that bless others–we work to bestow good things on our neighbors. That’s now our mission.
“We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!”
Ephesians 2:3-5
We’ve got a terrible need to be right with God–one of the theological terms used is called “reconciliation.” My dictionary states that two facets can be found
it’s the restoration of friendly relations.
the action of making one view or belief compatible with another.
But first, there’s bad news:
“We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts,“
The “we” means everyone on the planet. “Previously lived” suggests the way we were, for the believers in Ephesus this is past tense, sin no longer to be the position of the reconciled. Yes, we sin, but it’s not ingrained inside us any more. It seems to me that this is the realm of Satan and his rebellion.
“Fleshly desires” clarifies things. It points out what Paul writes about in Galatians 5:19-21 (“the works of the flesh”);
This all fits with “inclinations” of sinfully rebellious life.
“and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.“
This pounds this even deeper. “Children” typically is a good term, but the way it’s used here gives it an awful or terrible sense. Within the inner recesses of our hearts is nothing but rebellion, as a matter of fact, scripture tells us that you and I are the “children of the devil.”
If we’re ever going to be reconciled, God is the only one who can pull this off. So, let’s move on to the good news in the remainder of this passage.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love that he had for us”
“But God”
(Where would we be without this little word “but?”)
We got horrible news and it stings. Then we read “but” and everything gets tipped upside down! That three-letter word is a game changer. It comes totally out of the blue and alters everything. “But God,” is a phrase of hope and not despair. This passage is infused with His love. He loved us, and that was why He did this.
“made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!”
But God figured out how He would save us (and actually this method was an eternal one). And we must go back to chapter 1 to this truth of being “in Christ.” Most certainly we’re ruined sinners; rebels and traitors. We’re dead inside. But God makes it clear that we’re “saved by grace!”
We were the dead ones. We’ve been brought to life.
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.”
This is really a past tense for the believer. And the word “according” is used twice in this passage. Dead and disobedient is a critical assessment of the fallen human race. And of course, there is the presence of evil—someone (or something) who is in control, “working” inside of those who are disobedient. It’s called a “spirit.”
This passage is critical to understanding the fallen state of the world. It explains so much.
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”
Death is the state of those who don’t believe. “Trespasses and sins” is the cause. We dare not minimize or ignore Paul’s statement about this. We shouldn’t try to dismiss this.
We live in a world where death is in charge.
It troubles me to think about this. Sometimes in movies, there are zombies and mummies walking around and attacking the living. This seems bizarre and spooky but it’s probably closer than we can ever imagine. Jesus’ power to raise the dead is absolutely critical to being an authentic believer. We’re like Lazarus who was resurrected.
“In which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,“
Each of us walked in darkness, the world is cloaked in sin and disobedience. Each of us has turned in our way. (Romans 3:10-18.)
“All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:12
The history of man makes this terribly clear.
I suppose the word “previously” is also a crucial. It means that this sinful lifestyle is in the past. It’s no longer is the path we’re taking . Death can no longer hold us. We used to, but now we’ve been brought to a resurrected life.
“The sinner can no more raise himself from the deadness of sin than Lazarus, who had been dead four days until Jesus came.”
“According to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.”
Evil exists. Satan is alive and well on planet earth. We see his work (his ministry) all around us. Some are controlled by the enemy, a few more than others. Notice it’s called a “spirit” and it’s something active. Something supernatural. Paul’s assessment seems very blunt, there’s not much wiggle room. He’s telling us the truth.
And now we must figure out how we’re going to live our resurrected life.
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Ephesians 1:22-23, ESV
Feet, head, body. These two verses are apparent when we see the connection each has with the other. (The word “all” is mentioned 4x which is interesting and of vital importance.)
The hidden thrust of this passage is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When He rose from the dead it was not only an earth-shaking event, but it was a profound game-changer! From that point on nothing will ever be the same. The entire course of the universe has changed. Completely.
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,”
All things. Exactly what does that mean? The phrase in Greek is fairly common–“the whole, everything there is.” If we press this text a little bit we’ll discover that God designed it to be exactly that. He meant “all, everything there is or will be.’
The idea of feet expresses the idiom of a king who puts his foot on a defeated king’s neck. The victorious king stands, and the defeated king is prostrate. It was to emphasize superiority and servitude.
This victory was God’s gift to Jesus.
He was made our “head.” (And we’re His body.) We’re affixed to Him organically as you can get. And you know what, we need our head, without it we’re nothing but stiff corpses. Bodies don’t do very well if the head is missing. Ha! 😁
The word for Church is ecclesia, or “those called out of a group, and called to be set apart or holy.” (It makes sense doesn’t.) After all, we have been chosen–we’ve been picked out to be His favorites. We’re Jesus’ very own and very personal ecclesia. You’re Jesus’ inheritance!
“Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Think about this–the fullness of Him! The word “fullness” means to be “liberally supplied, a very full measure, filled up to the very brim.” The meaning is quite clear. We’re now jam-packed with Him. He has inserted His all, everything into us. (Perhaps if you cut me, I’ll bleed “Jesus.”) 😁
“The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.”
“This is the same mighty power, that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.”
Ephesians 1:20-21, NLT
We (you and I) discover that power is now part of our spiritual DNA! It’s given to us and it’s the stuff of the resurrection. Power has varying degrees of quality and this is resurrection quality. God gives us a gift of authority and strength that will overcome death. It’s potent, and nothing even compares to it.
“This is the same mighty power, that raised Christ from the dead“
The phrase, “mighty power” is the word energeo. (It’s where we get the word energy.) It means work in a fervent manner, to be active and mighty. A great word I think.
A resurrection after being stone cold dead for three days is pretty good evidence of something that’s going to happen to us as believers. We have been “infused” with that power. It’s inside of us and has been activated through faith in Jesus.
“And seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
He sits, His work is done. He was essentially “tortured,” having been beaten to the point of death, and then brutally crucified. But at this very minute, He sits next to the Father in the place of supreme honor. When we do see Him finally face-to-face you’ll definitely will recognize Him. He’ll be sitting at God’s right hand.
“Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else”
“All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever.”
1:20-21, The Message Bible
This translation simplfies and explains far better then most. It fascinates me–galaxies and governments function by Jesus. And, believe or not, He has become my Savior and Lord. He’s my closest friend, my intimate companion. (See John 15:13-15.) This galaxy watching God-man is my very closest friend!
“Not only in this world but also in the world to come.”
The whole thing continues, it truly is a never-ending story. Eternity rolls on and on, it’s time without end. It’s already begun and it continues forever. As Jesus’ closest companions we’re part of that. His resurrection is a shared one. Because He now lives I will live with Him. Forever.
“With the power of God within us, we need never fear the powers around us.”
“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.”
Ephesians 1:18-19, ESV
Remember Paul is still down on his knees. He continues to intercede for Ephesus. He prays from his prison cell, focused on this church. He has laid out the truth in theological terms (in verses 3-14), but now Paul wants to burn these wonders into the church’s heart. And prayer is how he must operate.
First of all our new position in Christ is something supernatural. There isn’t any way we can walk this out without light from God.
“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.”
The New Living Translation is interesting: “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light.” Both the ESV and NLT are great. The phrase “flooded with light” suggests it illuminates, to shine upon, to lighten up, or to causes to glow. Paul’s prayer is that the Ephesian church be lit up!
“Know” isn’t a casual acceptance of a fact, but rather something much, much deeper. (Remember, this is all supernatural.) This knowledge means perception, a deep observation, to be skilled in, or to cherish. Paul prays that this church is enabled to see something quite supernatural. But all this is not automatic.
“Hope” and “calling.” Hope is a looking-ahead word, we hope for future things. Calling carries the idea of becoming placed somewhere, a summons. This supernatural word implies hope in something quite significant. A real calling to become supernatural.
“And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.”
“Immeasurable” is a funny word in original Greek. It’s a compound idea–“hyper ball.” It literally means to throw a ball very very far. It also means to exceed the normal. That word suggests that God has basically gone far above the norm.
“Greatness,” tells us that our calling as believers is indeed monumental. It is no small thing.
“Greatness,” tells us that our calling as believers is something quite monumental.
He insists that our faith is in our calling, it’s no small thing. And it’s completely God’s decision, not ours. We must accept what’s just happened.
What He’s done is amazing. His salvation reaches out to us.
“His power toward us who believe.”
As believers, we will encounter a force and strength far beyond anything here on earth.
“According to the working of his great might.”
“Working” seems to suggest effort. Perhaps this means Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross for us. He cried out “not my will but thine” in the garden. It’s said that He sweated blood. All of this took effort, or work. It wasn’t easy. (Read Luke 22:44.)
“Great might” implies the power it took God to do this for us. It wasn’t small and not minor. It took the death of His son in order to save us.
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Paul now shifts from theology to prayer. It’s the second section of chapter one. Personally, I’m impressed with the absolute need for this dynamic. Theology is great, (verses 3-14) but as leaders, we dare not try to teach one without the other. Prayer is Paul’s way of making theology real.
Theology means very little without intercession.
“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,”
Paul heard. It was a report, a letter, a testimony perhaps–but Paul knew. Strong faith…your love is the critical fruit of real Christianity. This was a faithful and true church, and these two qualities are what made the Ephesians real. I believe that is the way we determine authenticity.
The word used for love is agape. God’s love is both limitless and unparalleled. It loves in spite of obstacles and sin. It’s His love, and it never ever gives up.
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,”
Paul isn’t side-tracked like we are sometimes. He doesn’t stop, he’s like a “runaway train!” Chained in prison, held and confined, Paul understands prayer and what it does.
Paul prays for the Ephesians constantly. He can’t be stopped!
Constantly is an exciting word in Greek, it means to continue all the time without deviation or interruption.
It’s also interesting. As verses 3-14 are one long sentence in Greek, but so are verses 15-23!
Paul can’t contain himself. He turns on a “spiritual fire hose” on the Ephesians. He blasts and pounds them, first with theology and now with prayer. And by doing so he gives an example of true spiritual leadership. We do well to try to do the same; our churches are counting on us.
“Asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom“
The previous verses emphasized theological truth. Knowing who we are–predestined, adopted as sons. Now Paul wants to burn these truths in their hearts through intercessory prayer. He wants God to give them a “present,” the gift of spiritual wisdom. (Perhaps we need this as well?)
Wisdom is a critical component of receiving from God.
“Spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.“
Growing up is a God-thing. But it often comes when leaders pray long and hard for their church. I for one seem to emphasize preaching–imparting theology in the best way I can. BUT…maybe prayer and intercession are what I’m missing. Maybe our leaders need to back up their teaching with it. Maybe it’s why the churches seem to struggle so?
“The church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray.“
Ephesians101 